Interesting Vespasian - Ancients.info - The Online Resource for Ancient Coins & Antiquities

ancientcoins · Dec 14, 2006, 08:41 PM

Hello all, I recently purchased this Vespasian denarius, and a few interesting questions have been raised after talking to a few people.

I would like to hear your opinions on this coin.... is it official, is it a hybrid, can you find a catalog number for it, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew

curtislclay · Dec 14, 2006, 08:56 PM

Andrew,

That's a well-known type of an Asia Minor mint, but rare with COS IIII in obv. legend, and star as issue mark in rev. exergue; first published in RPC II, 850. Previously, the type had only been known with undated legend, or COS II or COS III, then COS V, the last also with the star mark on rev.

The "teeth" on your flan edge and the piece broken off at top are unusual, and make me think it might be an ancient imitation. Is the metal good silver or base?

Vespasian70 · Dec 15, 2006, 05:32 AM

Hello Andrew,

Last night I told you that issue is only known in silver...but studying the image a bit more it looks like basemetal to me. It might possibly be a 'limes denarius'. I hate using that term because the matter of what a limes denarius is and what they were used for is still up for debate.

Zach at Beastcoins has an interesting article about them: http://www.beastcoins.com/Topical/De...ominations.htm

ancientcoins · Dec 15, 2006, 06:55 PM

The seller described it as a "limes denarius;" I do not have the coin in hand yet.

Andrew

Dec 14, 2006, 08:41 PM	#1
ancientcoins Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 281	Interesting Vespasian Hello all, I recently purchased this Vespasian denarius, and a few interesting questions have been raised after talking to a few people. I would like to hear your opinions on this coin.... is it official, is it a hybrid, can you find a catalog number for it, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Andrew __________________ Always looking for nice coins of the Severans, Gordian III, Gallienus, and the Gallo-Romans! WWW.AncientWonders.biz

Dec 14, 2006, 08:56 PM	#2
curtislclay Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 316	Andrew, That's a well-known type of an Asia Minor mint, but rare with COS IIII in obv. legend, and star as issue mark in rev. exergue; first published in RPC II, 850. Previously, the type had only been known with undated legend, or COS II or COS III, then COS V, the last also with the star mark on rev. The "teeth" on your flan edge and the piece broken off at top are unusual, and make me think it might be an ancient imitation. Is the metal good silver or base? Last edited by curtislclay : Dec 15, 2006 at 08:12 AM.

Dec 15, 2006, 05:32 AM	#3
Vespasian70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark, oh Posts: 74	Hello Andrew, Last night I told you that issue is only known in silver...but studying the image a bit more it looks like basemetal to me. It might possibly be a 'limes denarius'. I hate using that term because the matter of what a limes denarius is and what they were used for is still up for debate. Zach at Beastcoins has an interesting article about them: http://www.beastcoins.com/Topical/De...ominations.htm __________________ Cheers, David Atherton Last edited by Vespasian70 : Dec 15, 2006 at 09:18 AM.

Dec 15, 2006, 06:55 PM	#4
ancientcoins Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 281	The seller described it as a "limes denarius;" I do not have the coin in hand yet. Andrew __________________ Always looking for nice coins of the Severans, Gordian III, Gallienus, and the Gallo-Romans! WWW.AncientWonders.biz

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